Summary: To share how we need the light of Jesus in all areas of our lives in order to be effective in our calling.

Purpose: To share how we need the light of Jesus in all areas of our lives in order to be effective in our calling.

Illustration: Since our arrival in Leon we have been very busy getting settled into the church, community and the parsonage. Each area has had various things to care for and to get used to. For example, we have had to learn how to slow down when we drive. Most places we have lived in have speed bumps to slow you down. However Leon has what I like to refer to as speed holes. And I have found that these speed holes are much more effective in slowing you down.

At the parsonage we have been painting the inside. This has been an ongoing project that seems to be almost complete. Outside the parsonage we began some work as well.

Many of you have been to the parsonage and maybe you have noticed all the branches around the property. They seem to engulf the house and keep it dark as the branches rob the sun light, keeping it in a darkened lightless state. I for one do not like dark areas and I enjoy seeing to sun light shining.

I borrowed some chain saws from Tom Evans last week and have been cutting a good amount of branches away from the house. It is amazing what a little sun light can do isnt it. The parsonage is really coming along and looking a lot better.

As I have been trimming the branches at the parsonage, I have realized a lesson that I believe God wants us all to hear. Please stand with me this morning for the reading of Gods Holy Word.

John 12: 45-46 When he looks at me, he sees the one who sent me. I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.

Branches hide things. You dont see very well when things are hidden. You need to have light in order to see. And branches.

I. KEEPS LIGHT OUT!

A.The amount of light at the parsonage has increased dramatically. As I have been cutting the branches at the parsonage, we seem to have light coming from all directions. The branches really kept a good amount of light out.

1.Light is good isnt it? I for one am a lover of light. Something about it attracts me. Even children realize that light is good.

Illustration: 5-year old Johnny was in the kitchen as his mother made supper. She asked him to go into the pantry and get her a can of tomato soup, but he didn't want to go in alone. "It's dark in there and I'm scared." She asked again, and he persisted. Finally she said, "It's OK--Jesus will be in there with you." Johnny walked hesitantly to the door and slowly opened it. He peeked inside, saw it was dark, and started to leave when all at once an idea came, and he said: "Jesus, if you're in there, would you hand me that can of tomato soup?"

2.I believe you dont have to be a rocket scientist to realize that Light is good.

Why even bugs realize light is good. Just turn on your porch light at night and you will attract hundreds of new friends.

B.All throughout Scripture we read about the importance and the beauty of light.

1.Darkness is never described as being a wonderful place in which we want to be. Scripture even associates darkness with death and separation from God.

Mark 15:33-34 At the sixth hour darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour. 34And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?"which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"

2.As Jesus life slipped away, we read of the darkness that came, the separation not only from life but from God.

3.To be separated from God is to be in darkness, to be without light.

4.Darkness has always been viewed as the opposite of good and represents evil. DARKNESS IS THE OPPOSITE OF GOD.

1 John: 5-8 This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

5.God is not darkness, God is light. And if we desire to have or maintain a relationship with Him, we must stay in the light. We must be willing to trim some branches in our lives.